19 or 23 or 25? Sleep comfort is the issue...

[TennisMan]

Ok, about to make a decision on a new A/S Safari; just wife and me and a big poodle.

My main concern is sleep comfort; of course, the 25 comes with a wider bed than the 19/23. I'm 6'1" and wife is 5'2" and petite; also, concerned about sleeping next to a wall in 19/23 versus walk-around in 25.

Any opinions on sleep comfort in these three sizes?

Thanx, Lance

[Relentless]

I am 6'3" and my wife is 5'10". With the 25 we are comfortable. However, it could only be called a walkaround in the broadest sense. The side against the front wall has only about 3" to 6" to place a foot.

John

[Relentless]

PS We have a Golder Retreiver.

John

[thecatsandi]

No one has ever complained about having too large a trailer. If you are considering the bigger one go with it.

[SilverCottage]

FWIW, we did much the same thinking about bed size, shape and placement and the smallest one with a queen bed with a full walkaround on either side is the 27FB which we bought.

Good luck.

[moosetags]

We have an '05 25' Safari FB. It is just SuEllyn and I, and we are both average size. We have spent over 100 nights in Lucy (our Airstream) in the past ten months. We find the queen bed to be excellent. I sleep on the wall side and have to come from the bottom of the bed, but find this very acceptable. We also looked at the 19, 22, and 23, and decided to go with the 25 FB mainly because of the sleeping arrangement. We are very glad that we went with the 25 FB. We find the whole arrangement very comfortable. We have spent 33 days consecutively in Lucy, and did not tire of the living arrangement.

[janetb]

If it really is a good sleep while camping that's the issue, you might consider twins. We have the 25 FB and like the extra floor space and storage, and find the two beds very comfortable, and we're about your sizes (ok, so I haven't been "petite" for years...) For the cuddling and kicking back together, the dinette and sofa arrangement converts to a very comfortable lounging zone.
Good luck,
Janet

[craftsman]

I also have a 25' (Classic) and the twins are the way to go. More storage and I think they are longer. With the twins you get a trunk at the rear and storage on either side.

[CanoeStream]

The 25' FB twin bed has a great amount of outdoor storage compartment -- compared to the 25' FB queen. The 25' Airstreams give you the PITA side to side queen bed. The front to back that comes with either the 27' or 28' is a great 'comfort' improvement! 27' gives you bigger clothes hanging spaces, bigger pantry, and some reasonably bigger outside storage access.

[TIMEMACHINE]

I agree with many of the previous posters.

If you are going to sleep together, the 25FB queen is very comfortable, especially when it is cold. On the other hand, the 25FB twins does have more outside storage and opens up the floorplan. The twins are also an advantage if it is a dude only weekend, dudettes don't have the same issues.

The 27FB queen is superior to the 25FB in that it is easier to get in and out as well as make the bed. But once you are sleeping, i don't imagine it makes any difference.

I have only heard of one or two people who have gone down in size, and that was down from 31' and 34' to 25', and these folks were on the forum. But, I know at least three of our friends that went up from 19' and 23' to 25'FBs for both the larger bathroom and bed. My bet is that the ratio is probably 10 to 1 in favor of upsizing.

Just one more opinion.

[jdalrymple]

We love our 31'. It pulls great, and has lots of room.

[Marti]

even and older but goodie can sleep good if you get the right matresses...

we just ordered two for our overlander1963 and they work great...

[ljmiii]

...than the 25'er is the best choice of the three. Both the 19' and 23' Safaris have the dread 'corner' bed.

You might also consider the 20' Safari or 16' Bambi both of which have the 'wall to wall' beds which are better for taller people. By installing a thicker mattress we gave ourselves the entire 7' 7" width to sprawl out in.

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by TennisMan

My main concern is sleep comfort...Lance

hi lance

-twins give more floor space and storage
-island beds are easier to make up
-corner/wall beds allow more more features in small units...

but comfort?

regardless the configuration there are issues with simple foam mattresses...

and one layer mattress/innersprings...

that's why so many opt for air beds and toppers, visco-elastic, pads and so on...

for whichever shape you're in...

cheers
2air'

[wanderer1]

I'am a little over six foot and have had the same concerns.My 32' argosy has an island bed (walk around sides and feet area) This is the best setup for me because I tend to really strech out and hang my foot or feet off the end of the bed,and no climbing over another to get in or out of bed. I think my mattress is 54" by 75" and I wish I would have gotten a longer mattress.You should try laying down in the different configs and go from there.

[Silvertwinkie]

I've had the rear corner bed in the 19' (same size as the 23) and the larger 25'. The issue isn't a matter of comfort. Both were comfy. The issue is that if you have to get up in the middle of the night, you crawl over your partner.

Now, unless you are full timing, you are camping...by definition, you are compromising as that is part of camping. If that is not your cup of tea, than the 28' would be more to your liking as it is an actual queen with ample room all around to manuver or anything by the side/corner bed.

[Foiled Again]

I fulltime. When I bought my 25 FB they hadn't realeased the 27 FB. I'm still really happy in the 25 but I'd rather have the 27 for fulltiming. I'm single, and I really can't imagine living full time with another person in a 25. Which length you choose really depends on how much time you intend to spend Airstreaming. If it's just going to be a weekend here and there, go as small as you want. If you're planning on long trips, I say go big! For two people, the queen bed makes much more sense than the small full bed that you have to crawl over each other. What I really don't like about any of them except the 22 CCD which they've discontinued, is that the bed is right next to the toilet - to a point where it's hard to get in the bathroom door. Whew.... don't ever forget to turn on the FAN!

Between the 25 FB & 27...Price is the big difference. Next?

• Sideways Queen vs Queen with REAL walkaround queen
• Much more closet space
• much bigger pantry, including option of a microwave on pull out shelf
• more drawer space in kitchen
• 27 Safari has a Lobster bowl sink, 25 has small RV dual sinks... in CCD lobster bowl is standard for both sizes

One option you'll kick yourself for not getting would be a 2nd Fantastic Fan in the bedroom. If you ever boondock, or just have to pull over for bad weather/darkness/etc. and try to sleep in a stifling bedroom without a fan you'll hate it. With the fan exhausting hard, and the side windows cracked, you'll be much more comfortable. I didn't get the 2nd fan because I bought what the dealer had in stock, but I do have a portable Endless Breeze, so I can take off my velcroed on foil vent cover, then velcro my endless breeze up there... not quite as good, because of no rain sensor, but what the heck.

Good luck, and see you down the road.

Paula Ford

PS: BTW, If you're interested in a nice USED unit, I actually spotted a 1999 31' Classic at a used car dealership here in Virginia Beach. Of course I went through it and it appears to be in really good shape. The dealer wants $19,900... but I'm sure you could negotiate.

[Goin camping]

Had a 19. Bed and bathroom too small and actually miserable.

Got a 25FB. Lots of room in the bathroom and the bedroom is great. We sleep a lot better.

Dog sleeps under dinette

Me 6-2. Her 5-4. Dog 85 lbs.

The best RV hint I was ever given: See if you fit in the bathroom.

[thecatsandi]

better yet see if you fit in the shower. That was what made me choose the Airstream.

[altamont]

We looked hard an long and the 27 FB was our choice based solely on the front to back queen. It is so easy to get in and out without disturbing your partner.